Tips For Getting Through The First Day
We understand that the first day of preschool can be hard on everyone—parents and children! Below are a few tips to make the first drop off a little easier.
1. Start talking to your child about their new school adventure a few weeks before it begins. Tell them about the new friends they will make, the new things they will learn, and all the fun they will have. In our classes, we explore everything from animals to robots to dance—if your child has an interest in one of the many subjects we cover, let them know that they will get to pursue that interest! Introducing school as a positive, exciting experience will make the prospect of leaving home less scary.
2. Incorporate this positive talk into your current routines. For example: read your child a picture book from their favorite series that focuses on the first day of school. Mo Willems, Pout Pout Fish, Curious George, Pete the Cat, and other beloved authors and characters have books that aim to build confidence in children facing their first day away from home, even for children that might be nervous.
3. Properly prepare on the day and morning before school starts. Pack a good lunch, get a full night’s sleep, and make sure your child starts the day off with a healthy breakfast. Feeling refreshed and energized is an important step in building that vital confidence.
4. After all your preparation, eventually you will have to face the moment of truth: drop-off time. When this time finally comes, be sure to “drop and go.” As tempting as it might be to stay and make sure nothing goes wrong, it will be easier on everyone—children, parents, and day school staff—if the moment of separation is as painless as possible. We know there might be tears (from you and your child!) but remember—school is meant to educate, empower, and enrich your children. They will be ok. This leads us to our final step:
5. Have faith. You spent a long time searching for the perfect school. Now that the time has come, trust your choice. Trust in the teachers and staff who will make sure your child is safe and happy as they learn, trust in yourself and the work you have done to prepare your child for their new environment, and trust your child to be ready for all the wonderful new experiences they will have with their new friends.
Preschool is a formative and life-changing time. Letting go and building trust can be frightening, but if you have faith in your school, yourself, and your child, you will be able to see them grow in amazing new ways. So trust. You can do it—and so can they.
1. Start talking to your child about their new school adventure a few weeks before it begins. Tell them about the new friends they will make, the new things they will learn, and all the fun they will have. In our classes, we explore everything from animals to robots to dance—if your child has an interest in one of the many subjects we cover, let them know that they will get to pursue that interest! Introducing school as a positive, exciting experience will make the prospect of leaving home less scary.
2. Incorporate this positive talk into your current routines. For example: read your child a picture book from their favorite series that focuses on the first day of school. Mo Willems, Pout Pout Fish, Curious George, Pete the Cat, and other beloved authors and characters have books that aim to build confidence in children facing their first day away from home, even for children that might be nervous.
3. Properly prepare on the day and morning before school starts. Pack a good lunch, get a full night’s sleep, and make sure your child starts the day off with a healthy breakfast. Feeling refreshed and energized is an important step in building that vital confidence.
4. After all your preparation, eventually you will have to face the moment of truth: drop-off time. When this time finally comes, be sure to “drop and go.” As tempting as it might be to stay and make sure nothing goes wrong, it will be easier on everyone—children, parents, and day school staff—if the moment of separation is as painless as possible. We know there might be tears (from you and your child!) but remember—school is meant to educate, empower, and enrich your children. They will be ok. This leads us to our final step:
5. Have faith. You spent a long time searching for the perfect school. Now that the time has come, trust your choice. Trust in the teachers and staff who will make sure your child is safe and happy as they learn, trust in yourself and the work you have done to prepare your child for their new environment, and trust your child to be ready for all the wonderful new experiences they will have with their new friends.
Preschool is a formative and life-changing time. Letting go and building trust can be frightening, but if you have faith in your school, yourself, and your child, you will be able to see them grow in amazing new ways. So trust. You can do it—and so can they.
